Chambers Bay expected to re-open April 1st and show off new poa annua greens

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Updated: March 4, 2019

Chambers Bay Golf Course, which has hosted some of the biggest events in the country, is expected to re-open by April 1st and show off its new poa annua greens, which replaced its old fescue greens.

Chambers Bay, the Pierce County golf course that hosted the 2015 U.S. Open, closed in October allowing the transition to take place, giving the new grass time to take root.

The course’s fescue greens were invaded by poa annua, the predominant Northwest greens grass, before the U.S. Open. The combination of the two competing grasses, plus extended dry conditions before the tournament resulted in the greens being criticized — and in some cases, ridiculed – as unfair by some of the world’s best golfers at some of these national events.

Three troubled greens were purposely replaced with poa annua last year. Course officials said success with those greens led to the decision to convert all greens to poa annua.

Chambers Bay was scheduled to be the site of the U.S. Amateur Four-Ball (best ball) Championship in 2019, but at its request the tournament has been moved and Bandon Dunes in Oregon will be the site. Chambers Bay will host the four-ball championship in 2021.

Chambers Bay was the site of the 2010 U.S. Amateur and management has aspirations of being the site of a future U.S. Women’s Open and a return of the U.S. Open.

While the course is closed, the clubhouse, golf shop, south driving range and restaurant remained open for business.